49ers Kyle Shanahan on Reuben Foster arrests: He has put us in a tough situation'

INDIANAPOLIS — Kyle Shanahan got his chance to address Reuben Foster’s offseason arrests for the first time while sitting down with local media at the 2018 NFL Combine Thursday.

“He has put us in a tough situation,” Shanahan said. “Hopefully it works out for all sides. Doing what we can to help improve him in those areas and give him the best chance for that stuff not to happen.”

Foster’s most recent arrest came Feb. 11, when the linebacker was accused of domestic violence, making threats and possession of an assault weapon. Shanahan and general manager John Lynch met with Foster shortly after the incident.

"Just talking to him about how these things happen, why you get in these situations and just the responsibility that everything has,” Shanahan said of the crux of the discussion. “You guys know I can’t get into any of it. Reuben was great for us when he was around and things have happened since he’s been gone and those are things we have to address, things we need to make sure that he learns how to do the right way.”

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The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office has not announced whether it will file charges against Foster, and it has until March 13 to decide on those offenses, which can be classified as misdemeanors or felonies.

Foster’s arraignment on his marijuana possession charge in Alabama was pushed from Wednesday to the March 21 plea docket.

“I want to help Reuben out, just like I want to help any of our players out, but it’s a two-way street and they gotta meet us there,” Shanahan said, “and there comes a lot of responsibility with that."

Shanahan acknowledged the reality that Foster could play his way off the team with similar behavior in the future – “That is realistic. If I said it wasn’t, that wouldn’t be very smart of me” – and that the 49ers must prepare for a scenario without Foster in case the league suspends him for part of his second season.

"Anytime you’ve gotten in trouble – again we’re talking about a case, so I don’t know whether it could happen or not – but if any of that stuff does come out you’re subject to be suspended from the league,” Shanahan said. “Anytime that starts happening, regardless of what they decide, that’s always a risk. So we’re very well aware of that and we have to take that into account.”

Shanahan revisits timetable of Garoppolo trade with Patriots

When Colin Kaepernick opted out of his deal last offseason, the 49ers had no quarterbacks on their roster.

At that point, Shanahan said, more than just Garoppolo was on his radar at last year’s combine.

“Last year when we came here, we were looking into them all,” Shanahan said. “You look at all free agency opportunities, all draft opportunities and all trade possibilities.

“Jimmy is one of those guys going into the last year of his contract, everyone knew there was a trade possibility, especially with the starting quarterback they have there. We looked into that, just like every other situation. They weren’t interested at all early on at this time last year and I don’t think they were later. That became a lot more realistic right before the trade deadline. That pushes teams to make decisions.

They tried to hold onto it as long as possible. A few days before the trade deadline, it came up and they had to make a move to help their team and their future, and fortunately it helped us, also.”

John Lynch on backup QB C.J. Beathard: “C.J. has handled this tremendously well with a tremendous amount of class. It’s motivated him to become even better and continue working on his craft. We love his makeup and what he’s all about. My message to him: Become the next Jimmy Garoppolo.”

49ers launching free flag football league: The 49ers will host a free flag football league in April and May for youth in San Francisco, Santa Clara, San Jose, Daly City, East Palo Alto and along the Peninsula. More information is at www.49ers.com/49ersPREP.